The Chicago Accident & Injury Attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. take note of an alert, issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA), regarding the recall of nearly 5 million vehicles due to defective airbags. Recalled vehicles include several early 2000 models of certain Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, BMW, and GM vehicles. According to reports, the airbag inflators, made by Takata Corp., can fail to deploy in the event of collision, thereby posing a serious risk of injury or fatality.
Rarely does the NHTSA issue alerts of this nature, which demonstrates the critical nature of this safety hazard. As stated in NHSTA’s Consumer Advisory Press Release, owners of vehicle affected by the recall are “urged” to “act immediately.” To view a full list of all vehicle affected, click here. The alert further provides that “[This] message comes with urgency, especially for owners of vehicles affected by the regional recalls in the following areas: Florida, Puerto Rico, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Virgin Islands and Hawaii.” Apparently, the problem can potentially be aggravated by the humid weather in these particular regions.
This recall should not be confused with the recent airbag-related recall announced by Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler, as we discussed in ‘Two Major Auto Manufacturers Recall Over a Million Vehicles.’ Although both recalls involve defective airbag components, they are separate and distinct issues. Consumers can check to see if their particular vehicle is subject to either of these, as well as other recalls, by going to www.recall.gov, and clicking on the tab for Motor Vehicles.
As Automobile Collision Attorneys, that represent both the injured, as well as family members of the deceased, Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. finds the astounding number of vehicles, which may be in operation on our roadways with potentially defective airbags, to be highly concerning. In combination, the two recalls affect close to 5.8 million vehicles. However, these are just two of many recalls involving vehicle safety components. Often time, recalls affecting a smaller quantify of vehicles, are not given the media attention necessary to provide owners with notification regarding potential problems.
For many motorists, the purchase or use of vehicle is undertaken with the expectation that the vehicle’s safety equipment will protect the driver and/or passengers from serious injury or fatality, if an accident were to occur. Sadly, motorists’ ability to rely on protective safety components, is a concept that is quickly diminishing. It seems that with more technology, has come more problems. We have concerns that drivers may have a false sense of invincibility, especially when operating top-safety rated vehicles, which may not provide the protection that one would have expected if a collision occurred.
The alarming increase in vehicle-component recalls demonstrates why it is an absolute necessity to fully investigate the circumstances associated with each and every auto crash. While it is true that negligent motorists, and not vehicle malfunctions are more likely to cause accidents, it is also important to take into consideration any other factors that may have contributed to an injury or fatality, such as defective safety components.
The Chicago Accident Lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. have decades of practice experience and have obtained financial compensation on behalf of numerous victims. In short, we know precisely what to look for in terms of both establishing and identifying sources of liability. We offer FREE consultation in all personal injury cases, and encourage you to contact us online, or by calling 773-516-4100.